A YA contemporary you should read... I'll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones (Review)

I love Jenny B. Jones. Love her! She is one of my all-time favorite authors, so, I jumped at the chance to get to read her newest, a general YA contemporary. She normally writes inspirational fiction, but she's a fantastic writer and I knew no matter the genre that I would love it. Check out my thoughts below...

I'll Be YoursI'll Be Yours
by Jenny B. Jones
YA Contemporary
Paperback & ebook, 314 Pages
March 22nd 2016 by Sweet Pea Productions

Summary

She's the coach's brilliant daughter, clueless about love. He's the dethroned football star, ready to teach Romance 101. When dark secrets and sparks collide, there's no playbook for what happens next.

If life were a nerd parade, sixteen-year-old Harper O'Malley would be its grand marshal. This trumpet player's got a laundry list of accomplishments to her credit, but none of them include snagging a boyfriend. When a new guy finally catches Harper's eye, she'll stop at nothing to win his heart, even if it means asking for assistance from an unlikely source.

High school senior Ridley Estes's future depends on playing football for the University of Southern Kentucky. When his past catches up with him, Ridley will need more than just a scholarship to get his ticket to college. He needs the kind of help only a brainiac like Harper can provide.

Harper knows she's insane to agree to tutor Ridley in exchange for love lessons, but these are desperate times. Just when she sees promise with her crush, a national scandal rocks the SEC, and no one is safe from the fallout. Harper's family implodes from the aftershocks, dredging up devastating memories she'd rather keep buried.

Harper suddenly has everything to lose--her family, friends, and even her heart. Who can she trust? When the dust of the scandal settles, nothing will be the same. Including the girl who asked the most popular jock to teach her about love.

Award-winning author Jenny B. Jones returns to YA with a sweet, funny novel about first love and the power of letting go.

  
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My Review

I'LL BE YOURS was a fantastic and heartfelt contemporary YA that pulls the reader in and keeps them there. The characters were marvelous, realistic, and were easy to fall in love with. The plot was heartbreaking, but sweet and full of laughs and some romance. The story showed that life can bring unexpected things, both good and bad, and how we work through them all in the end is what determines our happiness. If you enjoy contemporary YA or this author's other books this is one you don't want to miss!

Let's talk about these characters... They were awesome! That really does sum it up. Harper was such a complex character with a troubled background and major insecurities, but she was amazing too in who she was and what she did. Ridley was also complex. He has so many levels and as the story progressed, we get to see each of them exposed along with Harper. I loved how down-to-earth he was while being talented and charmingly full of himself. Contradictions, yes, but they worked in Ridley. I seriously loved both of these characters and I loved how they fit together. There was some fantastic dialogue and chemistry between these two. Then there are other characters that have some serious roles, like both Harper's and Ridley's families (tough situations all around here) and the college football team (seriously loved these guys) along with a few others. I never felt the characters were flat. They all came alive in this story.

Now how about the actual story or plot... So heartbreaking in so many ways. This one pulled on my emotions. I got so mad at some parents for different reasons. I really felt for Harper and Ridley and their siblings. I wanted things to turn out okay. I loved the way all the characters interacted and fit together and in the story. I loved that things are presented so honestly and with Harper and Ridley and others displaying what came off as honest responses and emotions. I loved the family vibes, the protective actions, the humor (so many lol moments), and the romance that was so spot on but didn't overtake the story. It is so well balanced, between heartbreak, humor, and sweetness, without glossing over anything. It's one of the things this author does best and I can always trust in her books.

Seriously. Just go read this one already. It's another book from this author that will keep a prized place on my shelves. It deserves the spot and is well worth picking up.

Content: Some innuendo and mild violence as well as subject matter that references abuse, adultery, and drinking. Clean.

Source: I received a complimentary copy through a publicist, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Jenny B. Jones

Four-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture.



Have you read any of this author's books? Do you enjoy contemporary YA that tugs on your emotions?

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